Good Wishes

Opening: Gracious God, as every Eucharist is the most beautiful sign of the presence and promise of a most beautiful person, Jesus, to be with us, we learn to promise, through the same Eucharist, our prayers, and assurance to Sr Euphrasia as she makes this journey to Kenya. May her presence and animation, through the spirit, encourage and support the mission there and may the region experience a new growth and vitality at this time of renewal and refocusing. Bless her with the right vision and wisdom to direct the region in the charism and footsteps of Marie de Agnes, the foundress of St. Josephs Tarbes. Offertory: Creator and sustainer of our histories and destinies, you are the source of all life and love. You have wondrously formed us and called us to your mission. You have always given us back more than what we have ever given to you. Let us love the life you have given us and give you the life you love in us. May these gifts become bread and hope, wine and joy, and peace and liberty for your people. Preface: Father of pilgrims, we gather together to praise and bless you. Your name is faithful one and your love is everlasting. We have come to experience your love in many ways as life's pilgrims. We thank you for the Spirit you breathe into us, a wandering spirit, for eyes that guide us, for feet that plod the paths, for occasional signposts when we have lost our way. We thank you for your love which gives our journey meaning and direction. You bless us with your divine restlessness. You prod us from our complacency. You urge us down roads and places we do not

feel strong enough to travel. You urge us down communities we do not always feel at home to be in. You urge us down ministries we do not always feel competent about. Yet you urge us to go for your mission. You support us with fellow travellers who bolster us when we despair; who refresh and renew us when we think our last step is just that. For all those pilgrims who have gone before us and pointed the way to you, for especially Marie de Agnes and your greatest pilgrim, Jesus Christ, we should never ever cease to praise and thank you. And so joining with the angles and saints, we call your name, Holy, holy Our Father: Our Father in heaven, only you are holy and only you are transcendent. You are tenderness and mercy. We bless your name. Continue with the work of your hands and make yourself known for what you are. May your kingdom come and may your people discover your presence, for you are a faithful God. Give us today the bread of life, your word and your only Son, your grace and your light on our way today. We bless you, who have paid all our debts and saved us through Christ Jesus. We ask you to forgive us gain today, as we have forgiven all those who have offended us. Forgive us in the peace of your grace. Father, do not let us undergo the great test. Keep us in the faith and hope and let us never deny your name and your word. Protect us from the adversary, for you alone are our God holy God and merciful Father. Before Communion: Centurion Lord, I am not worthy that you enter under my roof. But come yourself to prepare my heart. Then I will be able to welcome you in my home

and I shall be healed. Lord, I am not worthy to follow you like a discipline. But come yourself to take my hands. Lord, I am not worthy to carry your name to my brothers and sisters. But come yourself to open my lips. Lord Jesus, I'm not worthy of anything, for I am a useless servant. Thank you for receiving my services just the same and for offering it with your love to the glory of your Father. Amen. Goodbye: Guardian, guide, no pillar of cloud by day nor fire by night; yet we sense your presence with us, God of our journeys. You are walking with us into unknown lands and circumstances. You are guarding us in our vulnerable moments. You are dwelling within us as we journey into the hearts and cultures of places and people where our responsibilities take us. You are promising to be our strength, our words, and our peace as we face the struggles of distance from friends and security, the planting of feet and hearts in a strange place. Renew in us a deep trust in you. Calm our anxiousness. As we reflect on our life we can clearly see how you have been there in all our leavings, you have been there in all our comings. You will always be with us in everything. We do not know how we are being resettled, but we place our lives into the welcoming arms of your love. Amen.